To mill head or not to mill head that is the ?

[redlabel]

I am replacing the head gasket on my 1990 Force 120. Should I have the surface milled to ensure it has a perfectly flat surface, or is that overkill?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: To mill head or not to mill head that is the ?

its easy to measure it with a straight edge, a carpenters square works well, and a feeler gauge. if a .004 blade goes its time to surface the head. a 6 or 8 inch belt sander works well. use a 120 grit belt usually a mill takes off way more than nessasary.

 

[jasonbailey]

Re: To mill head or not to mill head that is the ?

I had my head milled by a machine shop when I replaced the head gasket. The first time I replaced the gasket I didn't do it. Ended up replacing the gasket a week later this time with the head milled. Believe me, what you spend on having it milled will save you tons of aggrivation down the road. I think to have mine done it was $70.00.

 

[novicetech]

Re: To mill head or not to mill head that is the ?

The book says no more than ten thousandths of an inch, if you do decide to mill.

 

[redlabel]

Re: To mill head or not to mill head that is the ?

Thanks for the advice. Now I just need to find a reputable machine shop in Dallas that knows what they are doing. I suspect it will need milled since the guy I bought the boat from replaced the gasket a couple of years ago and it doesn't have too many hours on it. Of course, i don't know if he torqued correctly when he put it on so it still might not need milled.